How far is "wing-mounted flight" from actual combat
Speaking of "winged flight", I believe many people are no strangers. In the movie "Operation of the Red Sea", the members of the Jiaolong Commando used this method to break into the battlefield. In the movie "Transformers", there are also bridge sections where special forces conduct "winged flights". But the film is a movie after all. So far, no army in the world has used "wing-mounted flight" to report in actual combat. So, can "wing-mounted flight" be used in actual combat? If so, how far is it from combat?
Generally speaking, any new thing with military potential and tactical advantages may be used for combat. However, as far as the current situation is concerned, "wing-mounted flight" is still far from being used for large-scale combat targets. First, its security cannot be fully guaranteed. "Flying wings" is very risky and there are many accidents. Athletes engaged in such flights can be called "dancers on the tip of the knife". With the current conditions and levels, there is no guarantee that the risks can be completely avoided.
Second, the cost of training is too high. The threshold for engaging in "wing-mounted flight" is said to be more than 500 high-altitude skydiving, but if it is used for combat, it is definitely not possible to get started. To master this skill, more training is necessary. Undoubtedly, these experiences and training have to be exchanged for amazing capital investment and aircraft sorties. Excessive costs often make the army "say no" to its daily training and large-scale operations.
Again, although "wing-mounted flight" has certain military potential and tactical advantages, its function is not irreplaceable. With the development and application of stealth technology, helicopters have been able to easily accomplish the task of sending troops and achieve the surprise effect of "wing-mounted flight". Moreover, the common unpowered wing-mounted flight suit has its huge defect, that is, it cannot bear weight. In this case, letting them "join the army" means that the user must go deep behind the enemy with his bare hands, which is unimaginable for airborne raid operations.
Since there are many shortcomings, can it be concluded that "wing-mounted flight" cannot be used in combat? That's not necessarily. Not long ago, the "Next Generation Parachute System" developed by the German Special Parachute and Logistics Alliance gave people more hope and confidence.
One of the main components of this parachute system is a quasi-hard shell flying wing. Inside the wing and fuselage, there is space for weapons and supplies, and the parachute backpack is also integrated into the wing body. Its empty weight is about 30 kg, and its wingspan ratio is 5:1. The user jumps from high altitude and can glide for 15 minutes and a distance of about 40 kilometers.
The components of the "Gryphon" parachute system also include a navigation system, an oxygen supply system, and a helmet with a display. These components make it easier to realize "high jump high open" and "high jump low open" flight and parachute methods. Flight concealment and safety. It is said that the R&D company also plans to install a micro-turbojet engine as power for the next step.
Development in this direction, if the safety and cost issues of "wing-mounted flight" can be solved, in the future military daily training and operations, people may really see the "Batman" with wings appear.
Liang Chen